As the Beaver Countian was first to report last month, Mayor David Poling, Chairman of the Economy Borough Democratic Committee, and Dr. Michael “Doc” Sisk, Beaver County Democratic Committee Chairman, filed official complaints alleging election law violations back in September. The two organizations say George E. Fitzgerald, who campaigned for Mayor of Economy Borough, Mary Jo Sivy, who campaigned for Tax collector, and the Bipartisan Committee For A Better Economy Borough, all grossly underreported their contributions and expenditures during the primary election held back in May.

Elections Director Dorene Mandity has been handling the complaints on behalf of the Board of Elections under the counsel of County Solicitor Joseph Askar.

“The Board of Elections was advised of the complaint that was filed by Mayor David Poling and [Dr. Michael] Sisk,” Solicitor Askar told the Beaver Countian. “Elections Director Dorene Mandity sent out requests for information and documents to George Fitzgerald, Mary Jo Sivy, and Richard Lapinski of the Bipartisan Committee for a Better Economy Borough. That information and those documents were not provided. As a result, and in accordance with Pennsylvania Election Code, I advised the matter be turned over to the District Attorney for criminal investigation.”

District Attorney Anthony Berosh told the Beaver Countian he had not yet seen the complaint when asked about it earlier this week.

“I believe that County Commissioners, the County Solicitor, and the Bureau of Elections did the right thing by turning this over to the District Attorney for an investigation,” said Mayor Poling. “My personal opinion on it, is if you can’t be honest about money spent on a campaign finance report, how can you be transparent and accountable with government tax dollars?”

Richard Lapinski of the Bipartisan Committee did not return a message today seeking comment about the investigation against his organization. In a previous interview with the Beaver Countian held before the matter was turned over to the District Attorney, Lapinski had denied any wrongdoing. “Their allegations that we underreported are all false,” said Lapinski at the time. “I’m saying all of the reports haven’t been filed yet.”

Richard Lapinski is the husband of Economy Councilwoman Michelle Lapinski, whose campaign was supported by the Bipartisan Committee.

Mary Jo Sivy did not return a message from the Beaver Countian seeking comment about the allegations lodged against her either. Mary Jo Sivy is the wife of Councilman Don Sivy, whose campaign was also supported by the Bipartisan Committee.

George Fitzgerald told the Beaver Countian he spent no more than $40 or $50 on his run for Mayor, and denies allegations that thousands of unreported dollars were poured into his campaign for signs and mailers. “What I spent it on was a ream of paper and black ink for my copy machine, that is it,” said Fitzgerald. He said he simply printed out fliers in support of his candidacy, which he then handed out door-to-door. George Fitzgerald said no money was spent on postage or outside printing costs, and that no mailers were sent out by his campaign.

But the Beaver Countian was able to obtain several copies of mailers sent to multiple different addresses in Economy Borough, purportedly coming from Fitzgerald’s campaign. The return address on those mailers is listed as 189 WALLROSE HEIGHTS RD, an address that records in the Beaver County Assessment Office show belongs to George Fitzgerald. At the bottom of the mailer is printed “Paid for by the Candidate, Labor donated.”

Other campaign materials seen by the Beaver Countian include “Elect George Fitzgerald Mayor” refrigerator magnets, which also say “Paid for by the Candidate.”

George Fitzgerald admitted to the Beaver Countian that his campaign was supported by the Bipartisan Committee of Economy Borough, but refused to identify any individuals from the group by name who worked on his election, or how much they may have spent on his behalf.

Other current council members whose campaigns were supported by the Bipartisan Committee for a Better Economy Borough include Council President Larry Googins and Councilwoman Courtney Barthelemy.

The Bipartisan Committee’s campaign finance report, submitted by Richard Lapinski, reported total expenditures of just $978.27 during the most recent primary election. Poling and Sisk allege the group spent well over ten times that amount.

31 Comments

Ladies & Gentlemen, practise these words in front of the mirror: Although we are constantly exploring the subject, currently there is no direct evidence that links SPENDING ON CAMPAIGNS to CAMPAIGN REPORTS? That’s the beauty of this argument, if you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.

Well, I need more than spending, and for that matter I need more than people give me. I believe that we need freedom too. And choice when it comes to our spending, and our campaign spending reporting, hat is the defintion of liberty.

Don’t worry, why is the American government the best government????? Because of our endless appeals system. Did you know that you can fool the breathalizer test by chewing on activated charcoal tablets?

Well, son, I have news for you about both politics and life… and may I say the two are exactly the same thing? There are no ends,,,,,,only means..I don’t understand why this happen? Because one does not have a sense of responsibility towards anyone or anything. And that is a tragedy in a man, and a disaster in a politician.

Y’know, it’s not that I object to anyone being a bastard, don’t get me wrong there. It’s is being such a stupid bastard that I object to….. In those days we poured God over everything like ketchup……that means someone may become the Democratic nominee which means, it may sound like a death sentence?

Look, someone was hired to do a job, and it wasn’t to investigate anyone, or any committee, or any candidate, or office holder, and it sure wasn’t to exchange information with the District Attorney Investigators? :dizzy:

Haven’t ya all figured out who ellen is yet? We have! We as in people who don’t sweat insignificant stuff such as “We Willie Wonka We Are The Dreamers”. But more the kind; We as in people that believe Power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely. An end to corruption is my plan, if you join me friends, I’m sure we can.
Ellen? you ain’t fooling anyone honey child especially in Economy Borough. Ooops! Pretty soon readers will think I’m a former detective or something. Holly EB new candidates expenditures batman! But wait just a minute, the bipartisan committee blew themselves up. So how can they be funding but yet another candidate behind the scenes. After all, this candidate is really into integrity.

Now you listen to me, I’m an advertising woman, not a red herring. I’ve got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-husbands and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don’t intend to disappoint them all by getting myself “slightly” exposed.

Has anyone ever told you that you overplay your various roles rather severely, Theotherdc?…. In the world of advertising, there’s no such thing as a lie. There’s only expedient exaggeration.

You need to know one thing, something is wrong with my eyes, they’re sensitive to questions. So, just remember Patience is a virtue, but so is breathing. .Handle with care, fellas. I’m valuable property. :zipped:

I met a guy in the FL Keys that swears that he coined the word “googin”. Twelve or thirteen years ago, he and his friend “started” this term for boaters/fisherman less knowledgable than the locals. It is clear to me that many of us are familiar with this term and some of us seem pretty proficient in googinese. Does anyone have an idea where this term came from? The person that thinks that he made up this word probably could not make up his own bed……there must be some other origin. Any thoughts?

One may smile and smile and be a villain? No one realized that Economy Boro is so dangerous to the county. Well that’s the real question, isn’t it? Why? The how and the who is just scenery for the public. Keeps ‘em guessing like some kind of parlor game, prevents ‘em from asking the most important question, why? Why is there an investigation reporting to the DA? Who benefited? Who has the power to cover it up? Who?

As a resident of Economy for the past 50 years.I have never seen anything so so shameful as the past few years.The leader ship in our council is nothing more that sick.It all started when we elected one man to council.Over the years he has built a following in council that votes the same way he does on every issue.His quest for power and control has has made this boro a disgrace and embarrassment.He is up for reelection again .Its up to the voters to put an end to his reign.

Was flipping through my Saturday morning reads and these people’s pictures made me click to read more. Seriously I thought mugshot Monday got changed to mugshot Saturday. You’re so ugly, when you were born they put tinted windows on your incubator

Ha ha. No chance in hell. No, I’d be arrested and gagged, maybe sent to an institution, maybe worse. Now I can give you the background, but you have to find the foreground, the little things. Keep digging. Remember, you’re the only person to bring a trial in the abuse of others over politics reporting. That’s important, it’s historic.

No one has a choice anymore now that it is all out and has become a significant threat to the county structure. They would have replaced him already but one has got a lot of light on the situation in the shadows. Instead they’re trying to destroy credibility.

They already have in many circles in certain towns in this county. Lets be honest, the only chance is to come up with a case. Something, anything. Make arrests, stir the winds into a storm, hope to reach a point of critical mass that’ll start a chain reaction of people coming forward, then the county government will crack. Remember, fundamentally, people are suckers for the truth – and the truth is on the people’s side, I just hope someone gives a reporter info to get a break. :upset:

Ellen, your above comment posted on October 13th, 2013 at 1:54 pm has crossed the line of freedom of speech and opinion on a public forum.Therefore needs to be turned over to the proper authorities for further investigation.The usual comments of your blogger name filled with bizarre mumbo jumbo quoted out of movie scripts and books may be your personal entertainment, however considering the seriousness of this article involving criminal investigations could be indicated by anyone reading as a indirect threat to any person of or affiliated to the committee complaint in this publication and furthermore anyone connected to the bipartisan committee named or affiliated that has come forward with further information that came forward for possible immunity. Your Quote was directly from the Oliver Stone movie JFK which is about the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and the Warren Commission cover-up theory. You so cleverly eliminated the first paragraph out of your quote that is explicitly pertaining to the assassination and murders of those under investigation to the assassination of JFK.

Attention to the moderator of the Beaver Countian, Please take not immediately .According to the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) FBI – threat assessment and intervention, A threat which could be carried out, although it may not appear entirely realistic. An allusion to a book or movie that shows the planning of a violent act, or a vague, general statement about the availability of weapons.

Notice, below is the contents JFK 1991 film directed by Oliver Stone. The blogger aka Ellen modified some words so that the comment directly would pertain to the subject of this publication.

“Everything is cellularized. No one has said, ‘He must die.’ There’s been no vote. Nothing’s on paper. There’s no one to blame. It’s as old as the crucifixion. A military firing squad: five bullets, one blank. No one’s guilty, because everyone in the power structure who knows anything has a plausible deniability. There are no compromising connections except at the most secret point. But what’s paramount is that it must succeed. No matter how many die, no matter how much it costs, the perpetrators must be on the winning side and never subject to prosecution for anything by anyone. That is a coup d’état….
Jim Garrison: I don’t, I can’t – I can’t believe they killed him because he wanted to change things. In our time. In our country.X: Well, they’ve been doing it all through history. Kings are killed, Mr. Garrison. Politics is power, nothing more! Oh, don’t take my word for it, don’t believe me. Do your own work, your own thinkin’….Jim Garrison: The size of this is beyond me. Testify…Testify.X: No chance in hell. No, I’d be arrested and gagged, maybe sent to an institution, maybe worse, you too. I can give you the background, but you have to find the foreground, the little things. Keep digging. Remember, you’re the only person to bring a trial in the murder of John Kennedy. That’s important, it’s historic.Jim Garrison: I haven’t yet. I don’t have much of a case.X: You don’t have a choice anymore. You’ve become a significant threat to the national security structure. They would have killed you already but you got a lot of light on you. Instead, they’re trying to destroy your credibility. They already have in many circles in this town. Be honest. Your only chance is to come up with a case. Something. Anything. Make arrests. Stir the shit storm. Hope to reach a point of critical mass that’ll start a chain reaction of people coming forward. Then the government’ll crack. Remember, fundamentally, people are suckers for the truth, and the truth is on your side, Bubba. I just hope you get a break.”

lol my man, take a break. Your post contained just as much nonsense as Ellens. He/she didn’t threaten anyone. This person is trying to aggrevate everyone. The fact you wasted the time to type an entire scene of JFK puts you into the same category. I tell you you I wish I had the time some of these people have.

Theotherdc, no comment from me or a movie has “crossed the line of freedom of speech and opinion on a public forum” as your feeble attempt to say so.

Consequently, your own words in your own post admit it is “bizarre mumbo jumbo quoted out of movie scripts and books may be i personal entertainment.”

You own use of weasel words such as “could,”, “may be,” “indirect,” is an example of only your own paranoia and being upset about something you are hiding?

Oliver Stone’s movie as many movies are poetic licensed of fiction much as your own postings. The Committee recommended an investigation and that is worthy of any and all comments and no threat was ever made except in the windmills of your own strange mind.

Good try however, and keep up with then movie making fictions and you might want to attend the upcoming seminar at Duquesne University on JFK, that is meant for Conspiracy Theory along with Aliens that put a Flu Virus into the air at 1917 Fatima incidence just revealed on the TV Show Unsealed Aliens, tat you may want to write for, to make all of us aware of your made up vigilant threats that cannot be seen, made, or produced.

And I might add, making false claims and wanting federal reports are non-crimes that do not exist is a problem with you so turn yourself in, and that says much about you, more than anyone posting here, does it not?

Now go back to movies and watch the fictional part of Captain Phillips and enjoy the show! :yawn:

SoTrue, glad your comment appeared. Yep, you’re damn straight,my man! Just another washed up senile old son of a bitch that believes they’re Harry Bosch out of a James Patterson novel. Everyone, please accept my apology, we crazy old bastards suffer from fantasm. How many years with federal law enforcement did you say, you had, SoTrue? Then of course you’re well aware of time of day, past tense, and dysfluencies. Gotta fly, my assisted living nurse just informed me it’s time to change my shitty diaper.

Theotherdc, apology and admission are accepted. Now calm down, just because the county is selling Friendship Ridge, it does not mean they will cancel your computer privileges.

My post are for jest and attempts at humor, and sometimes I will fail like anyone, but no one is stalking or threatening you ever with words for you to be concern, your post are just fine with me and I understand your pain or plans.

I am Bi-Partisan, I can see the good and bad in both political parties and praise and promote them as I see it, and glad they ran for elections, putting themselves out for ridicule and public judgment everyday, and that is to be appreciated.

I am also Bi-Coastal, I post from the Pacific and Atlantic Beaches when not in our beloved Beaver County.

I am only Bi-Sexual if someone buys me something, just kidding.

Look, our Politicians reflect ourselves since we elect them. None are perfect all the time and they all have flaws just like all of us, we the people.

It is better than having to endure Kings, Queens, Sheiks, War Lords, and Dictators from our “MediEvil” Ages and yes, I misspelled it for a reason. If that comes from a Jacqueline Susann’s novel and made into a movie so be it?

Keep posting even if some or me disagree it is still your thoughts and they are valid as any here.

Ellen, I think you suck at your game. Anybody who reads your shit you put up all over the beaver countian can figure you got some head problems. Seems blogging is your life. You’re on this site 24/7. Wouldn’t surprise me if your under lock in some psycho ward and this is part of your treatment plan that my tax dollars are paying for.